Atomizer



May 26, 1942. c. RONZI A'IIOMIZER Filed Dec. 6, 1939 3 Shets-Sheet 1 May 26, 1942. c. RQNZI 2,284,235

ATOMIZER Filed Dec. 6, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1942 S FTE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for atomizing or vaporizing a medicament by means of a gas or steam jet, which apparatus is equipped with an atomizing nozzle for the medicament and a nozzle attached to a steam producer for atomizing water vapour. Ozone producers and ionization devices provided in the appropriate leads enable ozonization of the compressed gas used for the atomization and ionization of the steam to be effected.

constructional examples of the apparatus forming the subject of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings partly schematically. In the drawings Figure 1 shows schematically a first form of the device,

Figure 2 shows a constructional form of the device according to Figure 1 partly in section,

Figure 3 shows a spray device partly in section,

Figure 4 shows schematically a second form of the device,

Figure 5 shows a construction of the spray appliance of the device according to Figure 4,

Figures 6 and '7 show longitudinal and transverse sections through the ozonizer and ionizer,

Figure 8 shows schematically a third form of the device, and

Figure 9 shows a longitudinal section through the nozzle arrangement of the form according to Figure 8.

In the accompanying drawings, I represents a steam boiler, the steam lead 2 of which terminates in a nozzle 3; AI is a source of compressed gas, e. g., blower, compressor, compressed gas cylinder or bottle, 5 is an ozone producer installed in the gas lead 6, I is a hand spray and 8 an ascension tube dipping into the liquid medicament to be atomized and terminating in a nozzle 9. The nozzles 3 and 9 are arranged directly adjacent to one another in such a way that on operating the device the steam jet coalesces with the liquid jet. II is a device for ionizing the steam, consisting preferably of a high frequency field, installed in the steam lead 2.

Figure 2 shows an apparatus according to the scheme in Figure l. The steam produced is constructed as a rapid steam producer. The water reservoir I is in communicating connection with the vaporizing chamber Ia which is filled with space-displacing mass Ic, e. g., quartz sand, glass wool and the like. The heating body lb is arranged within I a. The heating body could also be disposed around the vaporizing chamber Ia.

By means of this arrangement only a little water is supplied to the heating body so that it is rapidly caused to vaporize, which is very desirable in practice. 2 again represents the steam lead, which here is made preferably flexible, and terminates in the nozzle 3. The steam ionization device I! is installed in lead 2. A compressed gas cylinder 4 serves as the source of compressed gas. The ozone producer 5 which is installed in the compressed gas lead 6 is in a housing together with the steam plant.

Figure 3 shows a known spray, partly in section. 3 represents the steam nozzle fastened to the spray head, and is provided with connec-'- tion branch I3. The ascension tube dipping into the spray bottle, which has an opening II in the top part and finally leads to an exchangeable nozzle 9 lying directly beside the steam nozzle 3, is indicated by B. The compressed gas is let in through the connection branch I2, and the steam through the connection branch I3. If the compressed gas is liberated by actuating the valve I6, then when the bottle is filled it presses on the liquid level so that the liquid is driven out through the ascension tube 8 and is atomized by the nozzle}. A part of the compressed gas escapes through the opening I I, intimately mixing with the contents of the bottle or entering into solution therein.

A second form of the device is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Whereas in the previously described form the ozone admixture takes place by ozonization of the compressed gas before its entry into the hand spray, and away from it, in the apparatus according to Figures 4 and 5 the possibility is provided of producing and admixing the ozone directly at the place of use, that is to say in the hand spray. Moreover, the ionization of the steam takes place, contrary to the previously described example, directly behind the steam nozzle 3. For this purpose the steam lead 2 consists at its front end, that is to say where it entersinto the spray, of a material forming a dielectric, e. g., of a glass part I8, of which Figs. 6 and 7 show the longitudinal and cross section respectively. In the longitudinal middle axis of the glass tube IS a second glass member I9 is arranged which serves as carrier of a metallic layer 20. The inner wall of the glass tube I8 likewise has a metallic layer 2! everywhere removed at the same distance from the inner coating 20 for distribution of field and heat, the two layers 20 and 2I having approximately the same length. At the periphery of the glass tube I8 there is finally a third metallic layer 22, which however is only about one third of the length of the inner layers. The outer layer 22 is connectedby way of a contact 24 with one pole of a high tension source, preferably with a Tesla coil 23, whilst the innermost layer 20 is connected with the other pole of the coil 23. The high tension coil 23, which is fed from an induction coil 25 (Figure 4) arranged at a distance is disposed at or on the spray head. A housing 26 provided with openings for the inlet of air and terminating in a duct-like nozzle encloses the nozzles 3 and 9 as well as the ozonizing and ionizing device. Of course instead. of a glass nozzle a metallic nozzle can also be used, but then of course an insulation (dielectric) is necessary with respect to the outermost layer.

When operating the device the compressed gas entering at l2 expels the spray liquid (medicament) through the nozzle 9. The steam entering at E3 into the glass part it passes the circularly round space between the metallic layers 25! and 2| between which high frequency discharges occur, whereby it is ionized. Outside the glass tube 58 ozone forms from the atmosphere owing to the high frequency discharges taking place from the layer 22. By means of the channel-like construction of the housing 2% a subatmospher-ic pressure forms in the same owing to the streaming effect of the two jets (steam and liquid) which results in the ozone formed around the coating 22 being taken towards the front and mixed with the steam and liquid jet. The ozone formation is so strong, that usually the surrounding atmospheric air is sufficient. However, in order to raise the ozone concentra-v tion a small part of the compressed gas for the spray could be supplied into the space enclosed by housing 26.

By means of the arrangement described ozone is produced and mixed in the simplest conceivable fashicn and the same parts simultaneously ionize steam as well. The use of Tesla currents, further, excludes all danger to those administering. Finally, Figure 8 shows still a third constructional form of the device according to the invention. Here, in contradistinction to the preceding devices, the medicament itself is converted into vapour form and applied in conjunction with the steam or water vapour and gases. The steam plant is constructed as in the apparatus according to Figure 2 as a rapid steam producer and is arranged together with the induction coil 25 and the Tesla coil 23 in a common housing. The medicament to be applied is brought in a vessel 2'5 capable of being lowered into the vaporizing chamber la. The steam nozzle 3 is arranged in the nozzle 26 guiding the gas. On operating the apparatus the medicamentis slowly converted into the vapour form and gets into the open together with the steam through the nozzle 3. Before this however, the ionizer and ozonizer have to be passed, these being installed again in the glass part it, which has the result, that the steam is ionized with the vaporous medicament, and that ozone is formed from the oxygen of the surrounding air around the layer 22. By means of the injector action of the steam jet in the glass nozzle 28 the ozone is drawn forward and mixed with the ionized steam jet. Here also, as in the case of the construction according to Figure 7, an ozonizable gas could be supplied separately to the coating 22 or the nozzle 26 in order to raise the ozone concentration. The devices provided by the present invention enable a definite medicament to be atomized or vaporized with a definite gas with simultaneous presence of ionized or ordinary steam and the Whole to be applied. The simultaneous presence of the latter is physiologically of very great importance in many cases. Not only does it supply moist warmth to the skin or wound, but it also has influence on the structure both of the gas as Well as of the medicament, and often acts decisively in combination with the remaining components on the course of the healing process.

When using ozonized gases and water containing medicaments, for example physiological common salt solution, distilled Water containing medicamentous additions, a part of the ozone goes into solution in the water. Another part decomposes into atomic and molecular oxygen on entry into the steam jet and dissolves also in the water of the fine drops of mist. The rest of the ozone reaches the slain or wound in the form of true gas. When using carbonic acid the water of the medicament or the pure water saturates with the same which likewise is desirable.

An additional biological action occurs with the ionization of the steam inthat the s ructure of the. steam is made finer, which is of advantage in the case of Wounds which are very sensitive. Furthermore, the ions formed give up their ionization energy again during the neutralization on the skin or wound in the form of a fine galvanic current which flows in the tissue.

By choice of suitable medicament and gas almost every aspect of disease can be specifically treated. A fresh lacerated wound for example is advantageously treated with physiological common salt solution (Ringer-Locke solution) atomized by ozonized oxygen in the presence of steam, When the mechanical cleansing action of the liquid jet is also very much in evidence. Certain gangrenes are indicated for carbonic acid and skin diseases of a particular nature for hydrogen. Gangrenous wounds which tend to the formation of gas phlegmons are exposed for a relatively long time to the influence of ozonized and ionized steam containing the medicament in vapour form. More particularly air, oxygen, carbonic acid and hydrogen come into question as compressed gases, air and oxygen being ozonized if desired. The gas source can also be arranged directly on the spray, e. g., in the form of the known compressed gas containers. The devices described could of course also be subjected to structural changes. Thus for example means could also be provided for heating he medicament and to the compressed gas, for example electrical heating elements arranged around the spray bottle or installed in the compressed gas lead. Further several nozzles conducting different gases could also be arranged side by side. t will be understood that ozonized gas and ionized steam are at all times produced by the device and that preferably separate means including separate nozzles are used for producing ozonized gas and ionized steam.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for atomizing a medicament intended for treating the skin and wounds comprising in combination: means for producing ionized steam including an atomizer nozzle for discharging ionized steam in atomized condition; means for producing ozonized gas, including an atomizer nozzle for discharging the ozonized gas in atomized condition; and means including a medicament container and a medicament supply lead extending into the medicament container and communicating with one of the said atomizer nozzles; said means for producing ionized steam including a glass tube supplying steam to the steam atomizer nozzle, an internal glass member in said tube, a metallic layer on said glass member, a metallic layer on the inner wall of said glass tube, said layers having approximately the same length, a third metallic layer upon the outer surface of said glass tube, said outer layer being connected to one pole of a high tension source and said innermost layer being connected with the other pole of a high tension source. a

2. An apparatus for atomizing a medicament intended for treating the skin and wounds comprising in combination: means for producing ionized steam including an atomizer nozzle for discharging ionized steam in atomized condition; means for producing ozonized gas, including an atomizer nozzle for discharging the ozonized gas in atomized condition; and means including a medicament container and a medicament supply lead extending into the medicament container and communicating with one of the said atomizer nozzles, said means for producing ionized steam comprising two metallic layers connected respectively with the two poles of a high tension source and an intermediate metallic layer, all said layers being mounted upon the said steam atomizer nozzle.

3. An apparatus for atomizing a medicament intended for treating the skin and wounds comprising in combination: a medicament container; an atomizer nozzle for the medicament; a source of compressed gas; means for connecting said source of compressed gas with said medicament container, to force the medicament from said container into said medicament atomizer nozzle; a second nozzle for admixing tothe atomized medicament a physiological gas or steam jet; a steam generator connected to said second nozzle, and means for ionizing said steam, means for ozonizing said gas, said two nozzles being arranged close together in a common housing, said common housing being provided with openings and being constructed to form a third nozzle.

CARL RONZI. 

